Letters to the editor, Huntsville Times, Monday Nov. 16

School consolidationI can understand the school board's decision to consolidate schools, but I hope they will give serious thought before disposing of the property.

When we lived in Orange County, Calif., in the late 1960s, our boys walked a couple of blocks to school. We left in 1969 and had occasion to revisit the neighborhood some eight years later - the school was closed.

It was used as a community center. In a Christmas card a year or two ago, a friend still living there reported that the school had been re-opened. Apparently, the old folks had moved on and young families were moving into the area. Could it not happen here?R.G. LeibyHuntsville, 35803

Bravo, youth

On Nov. 8 a concert was given by the Huntsville Youth Symphony. Bravo to the director Joseph A. Lee and the members of the orchestra. These young people showed their dedication, talent and commitment to this outstanding orchestra.

A highlight of the concert was the final number, which honored the armed forces of our great country. As the song of each service was played, those in the audience who were members of the group were asked to stand. It was an electrifying moment as the men and women stood to honor their service group.

The audience was enthusiastic in their response and applause. Again bravo to the Huntsville Youth Symphony.Vivian C. TozerHuntsville, 35801

Ranks not objective

A recent letter writer took issue with Congressman Parker Griffith's statement that the U.S has "the best health care system in the world," noting "whereas in the most recent ranking by the World Health Care Organization we are ranked 37th."

The February 2008 Cato Study, "WHO's Fooling Who? The World Health Organization's Problematic Ranking of Health Care Systems," states, "Those who cite the WHO rankings typically present them as an objective measure of the relative performance of national health care systems.

They are not." Everyone should read this paper; it's available on the Web.Here are real world health statistics: 41 percent of Canadians died of prostate cancer vs. 32 percent of Americans. The cancer death rates are overall 16 percent higher in Canada than America.

Canada is rated much higher by WHO than the U.S. as a provider of health. Canada's health care has declined dramatically since government control and recently the head of the Canadian Medical Association said their health care system was about to "implode."

Congress could have done several simple things that would improve the availability of health care. For example, Mississippi passed a serious tort reform law, limiting medical malpractice awards and reducing insurance premiums dramatically.

The result of the huge malpractice awards had been to drive doctors out of the state. In some specialties, they were only one or two deep statewide. That's now reversing itself. People need to talk to their physician about these issues and get their thoughts.Thanks Congressman Griffith.Craig D. CoxHuntsville, 35803